United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I know that everyone needs money and volunteers. But let's not forget the kids that need clothes for school. I have alot of clothes and I don't know where to send them. Does anyone know where I can send them. MAybe the address to the Astrodome, or any shelters in Houston etc. A phone #, anything. I just want to do what I can to help.

MArlyn

still waiting to hear from my cousin in N.O.

Here where I live it is hard to find anyone who wants the clothes. They all have a lot of refugees but they ask us to hold on the clothes. I know there are some places that are taking clothes. But, at some shelters they are even asking me to not take the clothes there since there isnt a plan for them yet. Kind of frustrating. I havent got the money to donate, I dont have a lot of money for food to donate, but I have clothes and I'd love to donate them. Ya know?

I've got a bunch of clothes, towels, sheets, etc also.
I was thinking about contacting the local Salvation Army and St. Vincent's ...local chapters of charitable donations for Katrina Relief. I live in a VERY small town, so I probably won't get a chance to go out until tomorrow to find out more. Most everything is closed here today. I'll let you know if I find out anything.

Peggy

I was talking to a friend and we were planning on packing clothing in luggage, that we no longer use, because everyone there seem to be living out of plastic bags.
We thought if we packed a suitcase, with all woman's/men's/children's clothing and all the same size they could just hand it to a person.
I did that for hurricane Andrew.
I put each garment in a plastic bag with a label stating it was (example) woman's L or men's medium...
I am sure it would help the workers sort out the clothing better when distributing them.

Kath

Kath....Great idea! I think it sounds more like a gift, more personal. Hope you dont mind if I get to use it??????????? You are right, they all seem to have bags and boxes. I think a suit case would give them more privacy, security. Did you see how the senior living center in Houston opened up some apartments for quite a few senior citizens. I thought that was great.

It is a wonderful idea!
Housing is even opening up in Seattle! As well as personal homes opening doors to families here in Western Washington.

Peggy

This is a huge national disaster and we all need to help in whatever way we can.
It will take time to put these things in place because many of the first responders, for those states, are also victims.
They need to cope with their losses and families besides helping others.

I think they will need our help and support over the next year or more.
It's just hard to be patient when we live so far away from the event and don't really know how to help.
I think we will all have an opportunity in the near future.

Please use my idea.
I belong to a woman's club and we donate to a local psychiatric center and they treat many homeless clients.
One of the doctors lets all clients take showers and collects clothing for them.
We fill zip loc bags of those hotel shampoo's shaving gear, deodrant toothpaste and soap for them.
I send all my husbands shirts to the laundry and had them pressed plus I iron all the clothing before I donate.
It is just a matter of respect for those who are suffering they deserve to be treated as we want to be treated.
Now more and more people are doing this and the doctors said the smell of a clean laundry pressed shirt brought a man to tears.
That touched me so much that I feel when I donate I want to give something the way I would want to wear it...

It may take time to get these things to people but they will eventually need them and we can be prepared to ship them at a moments notice ...
That's all we can do for now until they have things in place to collect and distribute these necessary items.

Kath

I would also suggest holding onto the clothes till the refugees get to where you are. Here in Illinois we are getting refugees and until they are "SETTLED" they have no where to put the clothes. I work at a local food pantry here and we are in need of extras now because the need is already here.....people that evacuated to Illinois for a place to live with relatives. We do not accept clothes there but I may be able to find resources that would take the clothes tomorrow.....I know they only want things they can carry on their person now.......as no one is really settled.....

I know this is not a great time to bring this up, but it bothers me so I will post it.

These people are not refugees. They are evacuees. It seems petty, but there is a difference. As Black American I can't help but wonder why the term refugee has been used this time. At no other time during crisis or natural disaster in this country have Americans been referred to as refugees.

I know I will be argued with for this, but it is really a very touchy subject to some.

Still praying for the Victims of Katrina-

Marlyn

To me refugee simply means people who have been driven from their home. Following are articles from past hurricanes where the term refugee was used. If I remember correctly those affected by andrew were called refugees as well. In the case of Katrina (in my opinion), anyone who evacuated prior to the hurricane could be classified as an evacuee, anyone who stayed is being driven from their home is a refugee. But when it comes down to it either term is technically correct. I have just gotten more technical in terms of describing things since going back to graduate school.

Marlyn - hope this helps a bit in terms of letting you know others have been referred to as refugees.

Here are some links - people who were forced from their homes in other hurricanes were also called refugees by the media. Following are the links and headlines to the articles.


http://rdu.news14.com/content/weather/w ... &SecID=299
Hurricane Frances menaces Florida; refugees head to NC
9/3/2004 8:31 AM
By: Associated Press & News 14 Carolina Web Staff


http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/1021886.html
South Texas Welcomes Hurricane Refugees As Thousands Flee Ivan

PS - I'm with you still praying!!